Today I finished my first block of teaching rounds. I can't believe how quickly these 4 weeks went. I remember when I started it seemed to be going in slow motion, but soon enough the pace picked up and it felt like a race all the way to the end.
Hoy termine mi primer block de practicas docentes. No puedo creer que rapido se pasaron estas 4 semanas. Me acuerdo cuando empece que parecia ir en camara lenta, pero enseguida el ritmo se acelero hasta parecer una carrera hasta la meta final.
I left with a bit of sadness today as I have met a really nice group of people and children. Everyone was so welcoming and I truly felt appreciated.
Me fui un poquito triste hoy porque conoci un grupo de gente y de chicos muy lindos. Todos me hicieron sentir tan bienvenida y verdaderamente apreciada.
I enjoyed working with Grade 2 children again. It was difficult to get used to because I have been in Grade 6 for the last 5 years, but it all quickly came back to me. I loved getting to know the kids' little personalities and helping them learn. I think I am going to love my profession.
Disfrute trabajar con chicos de 2do Grado otra vez. Fue dificil acostumbrarme al principio porque hace 5 anos que trabajo con 6to Grado, pero en seguida me acorde de como son a esa edad y de cuales son sus capacidades. Me encanto ir conociendo sus pequenas personalidades y ayudarlos a aprender. Me parece que me va a encantar mi profesion!
I was very impressed at the low levels of stress that I perceived from the staff and at how problems seem to find solutions quickly. I felt that the staff worked as a big team and even though I don't know all the ins and outs I think that it is not too hard to perceive tension or bad vibes between people. I didn't.
Me impresiono mucho los bajos niveles de estress que percibi del staff y de como los problemas parecen encontrar soluciones rapidamente. Senti que el staff trabaja verdaderamente en grupo y aunque ya se que no conozco todas las idas y venidas pienso que no es muy dificil percibir mala onda. No la percibi para nada.
My two colleague teachers were amazing and I learnt so much from them both. I am excited at the prospect of my next round in May, it will be great to see where the kids are at. The only drawback will be leaving behind the Grade 6s at my current work and my wonderful friends there...but it is only for 5 weeks.
Mis dos maestros colegas son fantasticos y aprendi tanto de ellos. Estoy contenta al prospecto de mis proximas practicas en Mayo. Va a ser re lindo volver y ver en donde estan los chicos intelectualmente. Lo unico malo sera dejar a los de 6to en mi trabajo actual al que vuelvo el Martes y dejar a mis amigos tambien...pero es solo por 5 semanas.
Before the bell rang, the teacher asked them if they wanted to say something to Mrs. Z (me) and about 10 little hands shot into the air. Those little voices said things like: "Thank you Mrs Z for teaching us writing, reading and maths and for being so nice" or "thank you for helping 2 R and 2 C with our work". I was getting a bit emotional and was trying to smile and go on, but a little boy notice my watery eyes and handed me the box of tissues. We all laugh loudly and I was thankful at that. Thanks St. Bedes! You are a beautiful school.
Antes de que suene la campana la maestra le pregunto a los chicos si tenian algo para decirle a la Senora Zeta (asi me llamaban) y diez pequenas manitos despegaron en el aire. Con esas vocecitas pequenas me decian cosas como: Senora Z la vamos a extanar, Gracias por ensenarnos a leer y a escribir, por ensenarnos Matematica y por ser tan buena...Me puso un poquito melancolica pero trataba de mantener la sonrisa. Un nenito se dio cuenta de mis ojos lagrimosos y me trajo la caja de tissues. Todos nos reimos fuerte y yo le di la bienvenida a la risa. Gracias St. Bedes, sos una escuela hermosa.
I have also learnt quite a bit about myself, about what I need to work on, about what I am good at and about how hard it is to be absolutely responsible of what happens inside the classroom once the bell goes and the doors close. The challenge is to to stay fresh, not to go stale and to enjoy it, because the demands are quite high and so are the stakes.
Tambien aprendi bastante sobre mi misma, sobre lo que necesito mejorar, sobre lo que hago bien y sobre lo dificil que es ser absolutamente responsable de todo lo que pasa dentro del aula una vez que suena la campana y las puertas se cierran dejandote sola con 23 chicos. El desafio es mantenerse fresco, no ponerse rancio y disfrutarlo, porque las demandas son muchas y lo que esta en juego tambien.
Great illustration from my son Anton. He hasn't been drawing much lately, but this pic proves that he hasn't lost the touch. Now I am going to have to analyse the symbolics of it all.
After a well deserved Sunday sleep-in I got up and had brunch to feed the brain with some of the much needed chemicals to function academically, before sitting in front of the keyboard and continue with my Children's Literacy assignment. Didn't do a lot on it, but I think I achieved some quality writing. Quality not quantity right? I think I am on the right track, only too slow thinking that tomorrow is my last day to work on it. Friday due date is fast approaching and with weather like today all I want to do is go out into the sun and take photos of the Autumn colours popping out everywhere. 
Today is our 21st wedding anniversary. I have been more years married than single now. It is amazing and it all happened in the blink of an eye. I cannot imagine my life any different and I love it for what it is. We had planned to go to Lorne this weekend, but Friday always catches up tired and unprepared. Besides I had a dental appointment today at 10 am and that sort of spoil it too. We ended up cooking paella at home and relaxing. Happy 21 years of love. 
This weekend we had a visit from our old friend Luke. It was a short visit between shows, but it was really nice having him over nonetheless. It was just like old times, lots of conversation, laughs and a bit of music. Lots of things happening in his life and lots of things happening in ours, so there was lots to talk about and not enough time. Having him here made me realise how nice it would be if he lived closer and we could share this more often. Thanks for visiting Luke, hope to see you soon again! Visit onmusic.com for more info on Luke O'Neill.
Last Friday, after a hard week of work and studying I arrived home to find this lovely surprise in my letterbox. 
Saturday afternoon was gorgeous weather and the three of us went on a bike ride to the city like in the old times. I am happy to say that I managed to get there and back feeling great. We had an icecream in the city from Trampoline Ice cream shop who I discovered are very conscious of the environment and have this cups made out of corn that are completely biodegradable. Great!
Friday evening is now a day when I choose to get rid off the week's ghosts. I drive to this beautiful street in Ivanhoe, park my car and walk about 1/2 hour till I reach Upper Heidelberg Road. I love the streets there, the trees and the houses. Ric and I walk and talk and I suppose we mentally prepare for the weekend ahead, sometimes we made plans, organise what to cook and we simply enjoy the end of another busy week. The exercise helps to shake the stress and makes me feel great. When we reach Upper Heidelberg Road, Ricardo keeps on his long walk to the city and I turn around and do my jogging for the week. Last Friday I ran for 11 minutes! I am so unbelievably happy that I can jog again. It feels great!
